Boston Public Schools superintendent set to resign before new school year

Boston Public Schools Superintendent Tommy Chang is set to resign before the start of the 2018-2019 school year.

Chang is stepping down after taking the position in 2015. Boston Public Schools confirmed the news on Friday.

In a statement released Friday, Chang said he's "in active negotiations with the Boston School Committee for a mutual parting of ways."

Chang later released a farewell letter, saying he's "grateful to the people of Boston for the opportunity to serve here."

Mayor Marty Walsh released a statement on the situation, saying "there needs to be a change in leadership at BPS."

Walsh's full statement can be read below:

"Over the past year, I have spent a lot of time thinking about the progress we have made to improve education in Boston and the significant work ahead to ensure that we successfully reach the ambitious goals we have set for our students and schools. After several conversations with Tommy Chang about the future of Boston Public Schools, we have mutually agreed that there needs to be a change in leadership at BPS.

"Education has been my priority from day one and I am proud to have provided unprecedented levels of investment for our schools, spearheaded initiatives such as expanded pre-K and extended learning time, and offered the support needed to bring about bold change for the district. However, in order to successfully implement our education agenda, we need a long-term education leader with a proven record in management who can gain the confidence of the community on the strategic vision for the district and execute on the many initiatives that have been identified as priorities for our students and schools."

There is no word on the specific reason for the decision, or if Chang has a new position to take following his resignation.

Cox Media Group